Washington — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is engaged in meetings with key congressional leaders following recent accusations from some lawmakers that he is attempting to involve the United States in further military conflict.
On Tuesday, Netanyahu met with House Speaker Mike Johnson, who had previously postponed a trip to Israel in June due to the onset of warfare with Iran.
In light of the current situation, Johnson stated that he and Netanyahu had discussions regarding the U.S. commitment to Israel’s security, along with ongoing efforts to establish a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
“America and Israel’s strong stand in the 12-Day War dealt a devastating blow to the greatest enemy of peace in the region, leaving the Iranian regime weaker than at any point in decades,” Johnson remarked.
He expressed hope that this would lead to what he termed the dawn of a new chapter for peace in the Middle East.
Netanyahu’s engagements also included a meeting with a bipartisan group of over a dozen senators, scheduled for Wednesday but initially delayed. Key attendees included Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
These meetings occur during a time when President Donald Trump is facing criticism from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers regarding his recent military strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
In response to these developments, various measures have been introduced in both the Senate and House in an effort to limit Mr. Trump from taking any further military action against Iran without congressional approval.
While a war powers resolution introduced by Democratic Senator Tim Kaine was voted down in the Senate, other legislative measures are still awaiting a vote.
Earlier in the week, Netanyahu met with various administration officials and dined with President Trump at the White House.
At a press conference on Monday, Trump expressed optimism regarding a forthcoming ceasefire with Hamas and anticipated additional details regarding U.S.-Iran discussions to be revealed on Tuesday.
After his meeting with Johnson, Netanyahu conveyed to reporters that the strong stance of President Trump against those who threaten Israel has caused a significant shift in the Middle East landscape.
He asserted, “There are opportunities for peace that we intend to realize. We’re working together on this.”
Netanyahu emphasized the need for a different future in Gaza, stating, “We have still to finish the job in Gaza, release all our hostages, and eliminate and destroy Hamas’ military and governance capabilities.”
Later that afternoon, Netanyahu again met with President Trump, who had indicated that their discussions would mainly focus on Gaza.
While at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday afternoon, Netanyahu remarked that President Trump is an advocate for a peace agreement, though he clarified, “not at any price.”
These meetings are particularly significant as they follow Johnson’s previous postponement of a planned trip to Israel amid the open warfare with Iran, marking one of the few foreign trips he has undertaken since assuming the role of House Speaker.
In February, he had previously met with Netanyahu in Washington, alongside Senate leadership members.
Notably, the Israeli prime minister had addressed a joint meeting of Congress nearly a year ago, advocating for support for Israel’s military efforts against Hamas while critiquing the protesters opposing the conflict.
This latest round of talks highlights the complexity and tension surrounding U.S. involvement in Middle Eastern conflicts and the delicate balance leaders must navigate in pursuit of both security and peace.
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